According to data from the Agricultural Market and Information Company (AMI), based on statistics provided by the Association of German Cold Storage and Refrigerated Logistics Companies (VDKL), total pork stocks in 2025 were 3% lower than the previous year. Compared to 2022, storage volumes declined by 46%. The most noticeable decrease occurred in November–December during the Christmas season, when inventory levels fell significantly below last year’s figures.
Analysts explain the situation by reduced pork supply volumes and higher energy and storage costs, which made freezing products less attractive. At the same time, under conditions of lower prices and easing supply pressure, stocks may rise again — additional volumes for the upcoming grilling season may already have been accumulated in January 2026, starting from a relatively low base at the end of 2025.
For pork producers, the current market situation appears favorable. Low stock levels and generally supportive market conditions create the groundwork for further price increases. The live pig market is currently more dynamic than at the beginning of the year, and the marketing of slaughter-ready animals has accelerated, as reflected by online auction results: the average price reached €1.62/kg — 12 euro cents higher than the producers’ association quotation.
Experts believe that if this trend continues, the current increase in VEZG quotations could mark the beginning of a more устойчивly sustainable price recovery, providing German pig farming with more stable economic conditions in the near term.
PigUA.info based on AMI materials